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SupportUpcoming Judiciary Exams in 2026-27 (1552+ Vacancy)
Know about Upcoming Judiciary Exams 2026-2027 (All States With Dates). We have covered expected notifications, vacancies, & preparation tips.
Last Updated on 14 Jul 2026
The upcoming judiciary exam 2026 cycle has already started with a strong vacancy push. Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Odisha have already announced 774 Civil Judge vacancies in 2026. Bihar announced 173 vacancies, Gujarat announced 237 vacancies, Maharashtra announced 286 vacancies, and Odisha announced 78 Judicial Service vacancies.
The next big expected notifications are from MP, UP, Haryana, and Punjab, which together may bring around 778 more vacancies between August and December 2026. This means 2026 alone may see around 1,552 announced + expected judiciary vacancies across major states.
The reason this cycle matters is simple: 2025 had very few judiciary vacancies because many states were waiting for the Supreme Court’s final decision on the 3-year practice rule. The Supreme Court has now made 3 years of practice as an advocate or law clerk mandatory for Civil Judge Junior Division posts in all states.
So, if you are tracking upcoming judiciary vacancy in 2026 and 2027, this is the right time to prepare seriously.
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Judiciary Exams in 2026 and 2027
This is the list of judiciary exam in 2026 and 2027:
| State | Status | Vacancies | Notification/Expected Date | Remarks |
| Bihar | Announced | 173 | 23 February 2026 | Bihar Civil Judge vacancies announced through BPSC |
| Gujarat | Announced | 237 | 24 April 2026 | Gujarat Judiciary recruitment announced |
| Maharashtra | Announced | 286 | 30 April 2026 | Maharashtra Civil Judge/JMFC vacancies announced through MPSC |
| Odisha | Announced | 78 | 30 April 2026 | OPSC Judicial Service vacancies announced |
| Madhya Pradesh | Expected this year | 306 | August–December 2026 | One of the highest expected vacancy states |
| Uttar Pradesh | Expected this year | 310 | August–December 2026 | Highest expected vacancy count among major states |
| Haryana | Expected this year | 92 | August–December 2026 | Important for North India judiciary aspirants |
| Punjab | Expected this year | 70 | August–December 2026 | Expected in the next 2026 vacancy cycle |
| Delhi | Expected next year | 31 | First half of 2027 | Competitive exam with limited seats |
| Karnataka | Expected next year | 166 | First half of 2027 | High expected vacancy count |
| Kerala | Expected next year | 5 | First half of 2027 | Limited vacancies, high competition |
| Rajasthan Judiciary | Expected next year | To be announced | First half of 2027 | Vacancy count to be confirmed |
| Andhra Pradesh | Expected | 54 | 2027 | Expected as part of the upcoming vacancy cycle |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Expected | 7 | 2027 | Small vacancy count expected |
| Assam | Expected | 1 | 2027 | Very limited vacancies expected |
| Chandigarh | Expected | 0 | 2027 | No major vacancy expected as per current data |
| Chhattisgarh | Expected | 75 | 2027 | Expected as part of the upcoming vacancy cycle |
| Goa | Expected | 6 | 2027 | Small vacancy count expected |
| Himachal Pradesh | Expected | 12 | 2027 | Expected as part of the upcoming vacancy cycle |
| J & K | Expected | 32 | 2027 | Expected as part of the upcoming vacancy cycle |
| Jharkhand | Expected | 169 | 2027 | One of the larger expected vacancy states |
| Ladakh | Expected | 4 | 2027 | Small vacancy count expected |
| Manipur | Expected | 4 | 2027 | Small vacancy count expected |
| Meghalaya | Expected | 33 | 2027 | Expected as part of the upcoming vacancy cycle |
| Mizoram | Expected | 28 | 2027 | Expected as part of the upcoming vacancy cycle |
| Nagaland | Expected | 5 | 2027 | Small vacancy count expected |
| Puducherry | Expected | 4 | 2027 | Small vacancy count expected |
| Sikkim | Expected | 9 | 2027 | Small vacancy count expected |
| Tamil Nadu | Expected | 76 | 2027 | Expected as part of the upcoming vacancy cycle |
| Telangana | Expected | 27 | 2027 | Expected as part of the upcoming vacancy cycle |
| Tripura | Expected | 10 | 2027 | Expected as part of the upcoming vacancy cycle |
| Uttarakhand | Expected | 17 | 2027 | Expected as part of the upcoming vacancy cycle |
| West Bengal and Andaman & Nicobar | Expected | 76 | 2027 | Expected as part of the upcoming vacancy cycle |
Explore All Judiciary Exams
- Rajasthan Judiciary Exam
- UP Judiciary Exam
- Delhi Judiciary Exam
- Chhattisgarh Judiciary Exam
- Jharkhand Judiciary Exam
- Himachal Pradesh Judiciary Exam
Judiciary Vacancy in 2026 (Already Announced)
The 2026 judiciary recruitment cycle has already started with major notifications from Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Odisha.
| Exam/Recruitment | Vacancies | Notification Date | Conducting Body |
| Bihar Civil Judge Exam | 173 | 23 February 2026 | BPSC |
| Gujarat Judiciary Exam | 237 | 24 April 2026 | Gujarat High Court |
| Maharashtra Civil Judge/JMFC Exam | 286 | 30 April 2026 | MPSC |
| Odisha Judicial Service Exam | 78 | 30 April 2026 | OPSC |
| 774 |
1. Bihar Civil Judge Exam 2026
Bihar was one of the first major states to open the 2026 judiciary recruitment cycle. BPSC announced 173 vacancies for Bihar Civil Judge on 23 February 2026. This is an important opportunity for aspirants targeting eastern India, especially because Bihar Judiciary has a strong focus on core laws, procedural laws, and mains-oriented preparation.
Candidates must carefully check the Bihar Judiciary eligibility, age limit, practice requirement, and application timeline before applying. Since the 3-year practice rule is now mandatory, only eligible candidates with the required legal practice or law clerk experience should proceed with the application.
Know more abou the Bihar Civil Judge Exam 2026
| Bihar Judiciary Application | Bihar Judiciary Syllabus |
| Bihar Judiciary Salary | Bihar Judiciary Notification |
2. Gujarat Judiciary Exam 2026
Gujarat Judiciary announced 237 vacancies on 24 April 2026, making it one of the major judiciary notifications of 2026. Gujarat is important because the vacancy number is large, and the exam requires strong command over civil law, criminal law, procedural laws, and local requirements.
Aspirants targeting Gujarat must also pay attention to category-wise vacancies, women’s reservation, language requirements, and the final eligibility conditions mentioned in the official Gujarat Judiciary notification. Since the Supreme Court’s 3-year practice rule now applies to all states, candidates should verify their practice or law clerk experience before applying.
| Category | Total Vacancies | Reserved for Women |
| General | 87 | 29 |
| SC (Scheduled Caste) | 15 | 05 |
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | 32 | 10 |
| SEBC (Socially and Economically Backward Class) | 57 | 19 |
| EWS (Economically Weaker Section) | 21 | 07 |
| Total | 212 | 70 |
3. Maharashtra Judiciary Exam 2026
Maharashtra announced 286 Civil Judge/JMFC vacancies through MPSC on 30 April 2026. This is one of the largest announced judiciary vacancies in 2026 so far. Maharashtra Judiciary is a strong opportunity for aspirants who are comfortable with a detailed legal syllabus and state-specific requirements.
The exam demands a good balance of bare act knowledge, procedural clarity, legal reasoning, and answer-writing skills. Candidates must check whether they meet the 3-year practice requirement, Bar Council enrollment condition, age criteria, and other rules mentioned in the official notification.
4. Odisha Judicial Service Exam 2026
OPSC announced 78 Odisha Judicial Service vacancies on 30 April 2026. Although the number is lower than states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Bihar, Odisha remains an important exam for serious judiciary aspirants. The selection process tests conceptual understanding, bare act command, procedural law, and written expression.
Aspirants should not treat smaller vacancy states casually because competition can still be high. Candidates must check eligibility carefully, especially the 3-year practice rule, age limit, language-related requirements, category relaxation, and the exact application deadline.
Upcoming Judiciary Exam in 2026
The next major judiciary vacancy notifications are expected from Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab between August and December 2026. These four states together may bring around 778 vacancies.
| State | Expected Vacancies | Expected Notification Date |
| Madhya Pradesh | 306 | August–December 2026 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 310 | August–December 2026 |
| Haryana | 92 | August–December 2026 |
| Punjab | 70 | August–December 2026 |
| Total | 778 |
Upcoming Judiciary Exams in 2027
The first half of 2027 is expected to bring important judiciary notifications from Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, and Rajasthan Judiciary. These exams will be important for aspirants who are preparing with a longer 2026–2027 strategy.
| State | Expected Vacancies |
| Delhi | 31 |
| Karnataka | 166 |
| Kerala | 5 |
| Rajasthan Judiciary | To be announced |
| Total | 202 |
Eligibility for Judiciary Exams in India
Eligibility rules slightly differ from state to state, but most Civil Judge Junior Division exams follow a common eligibility framework. Candidates must always check the official notification before applying.
| Eligibility Criteria | Common Requirement |
| Nationality | Candidate must be an Indian citizen. |
| Age Limit | Between 21 to 35 years as of the last date of application. The exact age limit differs by state. |
| Age Relaxation | SC/ST candidates get 5 years, OBC candidates get 3 years, and PwD candidates get 10 years of relaxation, depending on state rules. |
| Educational Qualification | Candidate must have an LLB degree from a recognised university. |
| Practice Requirement | 3 years of practice as an advocate or law clerk is now mandatory for Civil Judge Junior Division exams. |
| Bar Council Enrollment | Enrollment as an advocate with the Bar Council is required. |
| Language Proficiency | State language proficiency may be required. For example, Kerala may require proficiency in Malayalam. Other states may require Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Kannada, or other regional language knowledge. |
| Character Requirement | Candidate should have good moral character. |
| Criminal Background | Candidate should not have serious criminal charges, disqualification, or pending cases as per the rules of the specific notification. |
Check Eligibility Criteria for Judiciary Exams
| RJS Eligibility Criteria | Haryana Judiciary Eligibility Criteria |
| Delhi Judiciary Eligibility Criteria | Chhattisgarh Judiciary Eligibility Criteria |
Selection Process for Upcoming Judiciary Exam 2026
The judiciary exams follow a three-stage selection process: Prelims, Mains, and Interview. The exact pattern, marking scheme, and syllabus vary by state, but the overall structure remains similar.
1. Preliminary Examination
The preliminary exam is an objective-type screening test. It is designed to shortlist candidates for the mains examination. Questions are based on civil law, criminal law, constitutional law, procedural laws, general knowledge, and sometimes local laws. Prelims marks are not counted in the final merit, but clearing this stage is compulsory.
2. Mains Examination
The mains exam is the most important stage because it tests depth of legal knowledge, answer-writing ability, legal reasoning, and clarity of expression. It includes descriptive papers on civil law, criminal law, procedural laws, language, translation, essay, judgment writing, and local laws. Serious aspirants should start mains preparation early instead of waiting for the prelims result.
3. Interview/Viva Voce
The interview or viva voce is the final stage of the judiciary selection process. It evaluates the candidate’s legal understanding, confidence, communication skills, ethics, personality, and suitability for judicial office. Candidates are asked questions on law, current legal issues, practical situations, background, and reasons for joining the judiciary.
Syllabus for Judiciary Exams in 2026/27
Most state judiciary exams have a similar core syllabus, but local laws, language papers, and marking schemes differ from state to state. Below is the judiciary exams syllabus overview:
| Syllabus Area | Common Subjects/Topics Covered |
| Civil Law | CPC, Indian Contract Act, Specific Relief Act, Transfer of Property Act, Limitation Act, Partnership Act, Sale of Goods Act, Easements, Family Law, Property Law |
| Criminal Law | BNS/IPC, BNSS/CrPC, Indian Evidence Act, Juvenile Justice Act, Probation of Offenders Act, Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act |
| Constitutional Law | Fundamental Rights, DPSP, Fundamental Duties, writs, judiciary, federal structure, emergency provisions, amendment process, landmark judgments |
| Procedural Laws | CPC, BNSS/CrPC, Evidence Act, Limitation Act, Court Fees, Suit Valuation, execution, appeals, revisions, bail, trial procedure |
| Local/State Laws | Rent laws, land revenue laws, excise laws, tenancy laws, municipal laws, state-specific civil/criminal laws |
| Language Paper | Hindi, English, regional language, translation, precis writing, essay writing, grammar, legal terminology |
| Judgment Writing | Civil judgment writing, criminal judgment writing, framing of issues, appreciation of evidence, reasoning, final order |
| General Knowledge & Current Affairs | Indian polity, legal current affairs, recent judgments, national events, state GK, basic general awareness |
| Essay & Legal Writing | Social issues, constitutional issues, legal reforms, judiciary, women and law, criminal justice, technology and law |
| Interview/Viva Preparation | Legal concepts, current legal issues, personality questions, ethics, practical situations, state-specific awareness |
How to Prepare for Judiciary Exams in 2026?
1. Start With Bare Acts, Not Heavy Notes
Judiciary exams test the exact language of law. Start every subject with the bare act and focus on definitions, exceptions, explanations, illustrations, provisos, limitation periods, and important sections.
Notes are useful, but they should support bare act reading, not replace it. For prelims, small words in provisions can change the answer. For mains, exact provisions help you write precise and legally sound answers.
2. Prepare Prelims and Mains Together
Do not make the mistake of preparing only MCQs until the prelims. The real selection is decided in mains and interview. While preparing each topic, solve prelims MCQs and also write short mains answers on the same topic. For example, after reading injunctions under the Specific Relief Act, solve objective questions and write one mains answer on temporary and perpetual injunctions. This saves time and builds deeper understanding.
3. Target High-Vacancy States With a Multi-State Strategy
Since many vacancies are expected in 2026 and 2027, do not prepare blindly for only one state unless you are restricted by eligibility. Start with common subjects like CPC, BNSS/CrPC, Evidence, Contract, Constitution, TPA, Specific Relief, and Limitation. Then add state-specific laws for your target states. Aspirants eligible for UP, MP, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, or Rajasthan should track notifications closely and plan accordingly.
4. Make Separate Notes for Local Laws and Language Papers
Local laws and language papers are often ignored, but they can decide your mains score. For every state you target, create a separate file or notebook for local laws, regional language rules, translation practice, and state-specific provisions.
For example, Kerala can require Malayalam proficiency, while other states test Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Kannada, or local laws. Do not leave these areas for the last month.
5. Practice PYQs Before You Finish the Full Syllabus
Many aspirants wait to complete the entire syllabus before opening previous year papers. That is a mistake. PYQs show what the exam actually asks, which sections repeat, how procedural laws are tested, and what kind of mains questions appear. After completing one subject, solve its previous year questions immediately. This will make your Judiciary preparation more exam-focused and prevent you from spending too much time on low-value areas.
6. Build Mains Answer Writing From the Beginning
Mains answers require structure, not just knowledge. Practice writing answers with a clear introduction, legal provision, explanation, case law if relevant, application, and conclusion. For judgment writing, learn how to frame issues, appreciate evidence, apply law, and write the final order. Even two to three answers daily can create a major difference over six months.
7. Join a Structured Judiciary Program If You Need Discipline
If you are preparing alone and struggling with syllabus planning, bare act coverage, answer writing, or multi-state strategy, a structured program helps. Law Prep Judiciary offers India’s best online judiciary coaching with guided classes, bare act-based learning, test practice, answer writing support, and mentorship for aspirants targeting upcoming judiciary exams in 2026 and 2027. Use coaching as a system for consistency, not as a shortcut.
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